image: This is a photo of the BRONCH Express. view more
Credit: Simbionix
(Glenview, IL, March 18, 2014)—Simbionix, a world leader in medical simulation, and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), a leader in advanced simulation education, enter the second phase of their collaboration to promote bronchoscopy education. The BRONCH Express, a virtual reality simulator for endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) training that is being co-developed by the organizations, will be featured at CHEST World Congress 2014 in Madrid, Spain.
EBUS-TBNA is an advanced diagnostic method with a steep learning curve that is rapidly gaining popularity. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of EBUS–TBNA in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer, as well as the diagnosis of benign causes of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. The increasing demand for EBUS among pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons presents the challenge of establishing training to gain proficiency in performing the procedure safely and efficiently.
The innovative BRONCH Express was developed to provide a meaningful yet affordable hands-on training solution for the growing demand for EBUS-TBNA training and qualification. Mounted inside a carry-on case, this desktop simulator is easy to set up and repack. Virtual patient cases offer a realistic anatomical environment based on actual patient data, seamlessly immersed in a controlled, educationally enhanced training environment.
"We appreciate and value our collaboration with CHEST, as both organizations strive to improve patient safety and outcomes through advanced medical education," said Gary Zamler, Simbionix CEO. "The BRONCH Express is intended to provide the medical community with an affordable training tool and to promote competence-based training."
"CHEST values innovative partnerships like this collaboration to develop the BRONCH Express. Our commitment to helping chest medicine professionals develop new skills and knowledge to improve patient care around the globe make partnerships such as this a logical step for our organization," said Michael Baumann, MD, MS, FCCP, and President of CHEST. "The partnership allows expansion of important clinical training in an affordable and accessible manner."
The first reveal of the BRONCH Express prototype will take place at the CHEST World Congress, to be held in Madrid, March 21-24, 2014.
American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), publisher of the CHEST Journal, is the global leader in advancing best patient outcomes through innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,700 members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about CHEST, visit chestnet.org.
Simbionix USA Corporation is the world's leading provider of simulation, training, and education products for medical professionals and the health-care industry.
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Contact: Kristi Bruno, kbruno@chestnet.org